Gas-treating apparatus



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W. L. SPALDING GAS TREATING APPARATUS Filed Oct.

Dec.. 23, 193),

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Patented ec. 23, 1930 U-tE STABS PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM L. SPALONG, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T NATIONAL ANILINE t CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK GAS-TREATING APPARATUS Application filed October 5, 1925. Serial No. 60,44%.

rlfhis invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of gases and, in its specific application, for the absorption of ammonia.

The invention, as speciiically applied for the purposes of disclosure, provides a liquid circulatory system into which ammonia gas is vented from an autoclave. The ammonia enters the bottom of a riser pipe forming part of the system, and the buoyant eii'ect resulting frein the gas absorption, liquid dispiacement, and heat in the gas, causes an upward iiovv through the riser. The pipe discharges into the bottom of a cooler, and this in turn into a tanlr. A. dovvncomer pipe trom the tank and connected to the bottom of the first pipe constitutes the return leg of the system. A relief valve for venting any non-condensed gases from the tanlris provided, as the sysltem is preferably operated under pressure to 2o give an increased capacity and eiiiciency of gas absorption.

' ln the drawing accompanying this speciication Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of an apparatus embodying the inventiong Fig. 2 is a detailshovving the gas inlet into the circulatory system.

The gases, generated in an autoclave 1, or by any other suitable means, are led through 3o a pipe 2 into a liquid circulating system. rihis system comprises a riser pipe 3 Which-.is surrounded orconnected at or near its upper end to a cooier t and empties into the bottom ot' a tank 5. t dovvn'comer pipe 6 from the bottom 'of tank 5 connects with the lower end of the riser 3 and completes the system.

rThe tank 5 is provided with a relief valve 7, and a pipe 8 Jfor conducting gases leads therefrom into a scrubber 9 which discharges through a pipe i0. Withthe use ci the reliet valve, definite pressures can be maintained on the circulatory system.

As di'icuity may be experienced in starting operations, on account et a reverse circulation down the pipe 3 caused by the Water in the cooler being colder than in the pipe 6, a vaive 11 is inserted in the lower end ot the dovvncorner pipe 6, Closing the valve .11 stops this initiai dow downward in the pipe 5o 6 and, opening it again immediately after the gas is admitted permits thc normal flow to start. However, a properly constructed gas inlet into the pipe 3 is found to be sufficient to start a iiow upwardly in pipe 3, and the valve 11 for this purpose becomes unnecessary. A drain 12 and valve 13 are provided to remove the liquor at the end of the operation.

The gas may be admitted into the system in various Ways, but a construction that is found-satisfactory is shown in F ig. 2. A T 14 connects the riser pipe 3 and the downcorner pipe 6, and a gas inlet tube 15 form ing a continuation of the pipe 2 extends into the 'i' in the direction of the riser 3. `A plug 16 tits tightly about the tube and in the T to hold the tube in place and prevent any leakage.

From the above description, the operation of the apparatus is believed evident. The hot gases enter the bottom of pipe 3 into the circulating liquid and are more or less absorbed thereby. lifting means, while the absorbed gases decrease the specific gravity of the iiquid and also impart heat to it. These three factors impel an upward circulation into the cooler 4, Where heat is abstracted and further absorption may tal/:e place. lThe fluid mixture passes into the tank 5 Where the unabsorbe-d gases separate, and the excess accumulation of these gases passes through the relief valve. The gases can be collected and scrubbed, as shown, or otherwise disposed ot'. `ifi/'hen the desired degree oi gas absorption has taken place, the liquid is drained from the system,

and the system is refilled with fresh li uid, or with the solution present in the scru ber Q. For this purpose a valve 'controlled pipe line 17 connects the scrubber' and the tank 5.

By means ot' this construction an eiiicient action is secured because of the intimate con tact between the liquid and the gas. lihe use of pressure on the system proportionately increases the capacity and at the same time gives a more eiiicient gas absorption. The cooler not only abstracts heat for promoting the thermal circulation, but it also assists in the condensation and consequent absorption ot the gases. i positive rapid circulation Without the need of movingl parts is insured rihe unabsorbed gases act as by the combination of the three natural line connectin said scrubber and said tank forces, the buoyant action of the gases, the decrease in specific gravity caused by absorption and condensation, and the thermal circulation induced by heat in the gases; and

`the circulation is further accelerated by the ejector construction adopted for the gas inlet, as the Velocity in the gases is imparted to the liquid system.

While in its specific application, the apparatus is designed for the absorption oit ammonia by Water, the apparatushas a more general application. For instance, it can be used as a scrubber forl gases that are relatively insoluble as the intimate contact enhanced by the use of pressure renders it etlicient in this respect. Other uses of the apparatus within the province of the claims will beapparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

l claim:

1. Gas treating apparatus comprising in combination a system for circulatingliquid in a cyclic path, means for admitting hot ygases into an upwardly circulating portion of liquid in said system to promote circulation,

and means for cooling the upper part nf said y portion.

2. Gas treating apparatus comprising in combination a system for circulating liquid in a cyclic path, means for admitting gases into an upwardly circulating portion of liquid in said system to promote circulation, and means for permitting the escape of the excess gases.

3. Gas treating apparatus comprising in combination a riser, means for cooling said riser at its upper end, a tank connected to said riser at its upper end, a downcomer connecting said tank and said riser, a gas inlet into said riser, and a gas outlet from said tank.

4. Gas treating apparatuscomprising in combination a riser, means for cooling said y riser at its upper end, a tank connected to said riser at its upper end, a downcomer confnecting said tank and said riser, means for injecting gas under pressure into said riser, and a relief valve on said tank for the escape of excess gas.

v5. Gas treating apparatus comprising in combination a riser, a cooler associated with said riser at its upperend, a tank'connected to said riser at its upper end, a downcom'er connecting said tank and said riser, means for admitting gas into said riser, means on said tank for permitting the escape of excess gas, kand a scrubber for the excess gas.

6. Gas treating apparatus comprising in combination a riser, a cooler surrounding said riser at its upper end, a tank Connected to said riser at its upper end, a downcomer connecting said tank and said riser, means for admitting gas into said riser, means on said tank for permitting the escape of excess gas, a scrubber for the excess gas, and a pipe whereby liqui may be transferred from said scrubber to said tank.

7. Apparatusfor the absorption of gases comprising in combination a liquid circulating system, means for injecting gas into said system, means permitting the escape of unabsorbed gas from the system, a scrubber for the unabsorbed gas, means for removing liquid with absorbed gas from the system, andv meansor filling the system With liquid from the scrubber.

8. Apparatus flor the absorption of gaseous ammonia comprising in combination'an aqueous liquid circulating system rovided With a riser, a cooler associated Witi the upper end of said riser, a tank connected with the upper end of said riser, a downcomcr connecting said tank with the lower end ot' said riser, and means in said riser for injecting gaseous ammonia under pressure Whereby the circulation of liquid in said system and the absorption of ammonia in said liquid are promoted.

In testimonyy whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM L. SPALDING. 

